title: Randomized trial of the impact of a sun safety program on volunteers in outdoor venues.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  A suitable sun safety educational program could help the public avoid sun exposure-induced skin damage. The objective of this study was to assess the impact of a sun safety program on volunteers in outdoor venues and explore the most effective sun safety education method in China.
  
  
  METHODS
  An intervention program was implemented to raise knowledge and behavior regarding sun exposure among volunteers in the outdoor competition venues in Beijing, China. Five intervention methods were used, including class education, free sunscreen samples, pamphlets, posters, and newsletters. The self-administered multiple-choice questionnaires were administered before and after the intervention.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Two hundred and eighty-five subjects were enrolled, including 107 males (37.5%) and 178 females (62.5%). The intervention group showed improvement in sun safety knowledge and behavior. Other improvements were achieved in the field of sun safety awareness and intended behavior, with most of the items achieving no statistically significant differences. Subgroup A (multi-component interventions, including class education, free sunscreen samples, and written materials) achieved better results than subgroup B (written materials only) to improve sun safety knowledge and awareness.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Sun safety education could improve volunteer 's sun safety knowledge and behavior in the outdoor venues in China. Multi-component interventions proved to be the most effective sun safety education method.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology Department of Teaching and Scientific Research, Beijing Chuiyangliu Hospital, Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Shaowei
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cheng
authors.forename: Xin
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Guan
authors.forename: Mei
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cao
authors.forename: Yalan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Siwen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zhai
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013472:Sunlight / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013473:Sunscreening Agents; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014838:Volunteers
chemical_list: D013473:Sunscreening Agents